Falcons Sign Eight Players to Practice Squad

The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have signed linebacker Derek Akunne, tackle Pierce Burton, tight end Marcel Jensen, cornerback Akeem King, linebacker Stansly Maponga, nose tackle Joey Mbu, quarterback Matt Simms, and linebacker Tyler Starr to the practice squad. Akunne, 6-0, 242 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft out of North Texas. He served as a team captain and led the Mean Green and Conference USA with 108 tackles as a senior. Burton, 6-6, 305 pounds, was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2014 out of Mississippi. He is a native of Sacramento, CA. Jensen, 6-6, 270 pounds, was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a college free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State. He saw time on the Jaguars practice squad and active roster before being placed on injured reserve on October 14, 2014. Jensen was claimed off of waivers by the Broncos on May 12, 2015. King, 6-1, 212 pounds, was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (249th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft out of San Jose State. He recorded 71 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and two passes defensed as a senior in 2014. Maponga, 6-2, 265 pounds, was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played in 24 games over two seasons, totaling seven tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. Mbu, 6-3, 310 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft out of Houston. He started all 13 games for the Cougars in 2014, serving as a team captain, and earning first team All-AAC honors. Simms, 6-3, 210 pounds, was originally signed by the New York Jets as a college free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Jets before being claimed off of waivers by the Buffalo Bills. Simms has appeared in four career games, completing 19 of 39 pass attempts for 195 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Starr, 6-5, 250 pounds, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round (255th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of South Dakota. He was a member of the Falcons 53-man active roster last season, but did not see any game action.

Falcons Sign Eight Players to Practice Squad

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